Performance Windows Framework
Use when optimizing individual productivity, scheduling team meetings, designing work policies, or building high-performance teams with diverse chronotypes.
A systematic approach to identifying individual and team peak performance windows based on circadian biology, then allocating tasks accordingly to maximize productivity and minimize circadian friction.
When to Use Performance Windows Framework
Use when optimizing individual productivity, scheduling team meetings, designing work policies, or building high-performance teams with diverse chronotypes.
How to Apply
Data Collection (Week 1)
Track hourly for 5 working days: energy level (1-10), focus quality (1-10), task completed, and interruptions. Takes 30 seconds per hour × 40 hours = 20 minutes total.
Questions to Ask
- What is your energy level right now (1-10)?
- What is your focus quality right now (1-10)?
- What task are you working on?
- Any interruptions this hour?
Outputs
- Hourly energy/focus data for 5 days
- Task-performance correlation data
Pattern Recognition (Week 2)
Plot data and identify three window types: Peak windows (energy AND focus ≥8), Good windows (energy/focus 6-7), and Trough windows (energy/focus ≤5).
Questions to Ask
- When do both energy and focus exceed 8?
- When do you consistently score 6-7?
- When do you score 5 or below?
Outputs
- Personal chronotype identification (lark/owl/hummingbird)
- Daily performance curve
- Peak/good/trough time blocks
Task Allocation
Match task types to window types: deep work during peaks, meetings/collaboration during good windows, admin/routine tasks during troughs.
Questions to Ask
- What tasks require peak cognitive performance?
- What tasks are acceptable at good-but-not-peak levels?
- What tasks can be done on autopilot?
Outputs
- Task-to-window allocation matrix
- Optimized daily schedule template
Team Optimization
Map all team members' chronotypes, find overlap windows, and schedule accordingly. Never schedule important decisions when any key participant is in their trough.
Questions to Ask
- What are each team member's peak/good/trough windows?
- When do all team members have at least 'good' capacity?
- Who should never be in early morning vs. late afternoon meetings?
Outputs
- Team chronotype map
- Optimal meeting windows
- Chronotype-matched role assignments